Translating apparatus



June 1, 1937. P. E. s'roGo F- 2,082,036

TRANSLATING APPARATUS Filed June 29, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l Vo/fage v fiegu/a for F/lg, Z Y I Vo/fage I fiegu/afar F 9, l

ITNEZS SES; INVENTOR Pefer E. Sfogoff W M I BY W ATTo RN June 1, 1937. E. STOGOFF 2,082,036

TRANSLATING APPARATUS Filed June 29, 1932 Sheets-Sheet 2 III-(9,4.

WITNESSES: IINVENTOR m ATTORN Y Patented June 1 1937 UNETED STAT actress TRANSLATENG APPARATUS Pennsylvania Application June 29, 1932, Serial No. 619,953

7 Claims.

My invention relates to translating apparatus and has particular relation to translating apparatus incorporating electric discharge devices of the gas-filled type.

It is an object of my invention to provide translating apparatus of the type incorporating a gasfilled electric discharge device, which shall be highly sensitive in its response to the excitation of a trigger element incorporated in the appa" lo ratus.

Another object of my invention is to provide translating apparatus of the type incorporating an electric discharge device having comparatively high potentials impressed between the electrodes thereof in which a highly sensitive trigger element shall be so connected as to be totally unaffected by the high electromotive forces impressed between the electrodes of the electric discharge device.

A further object of my invention is to provide a method for operating a translating system of the type incorporating an electric discharge device such that the output of the electric discharge device shall be capable of continuous varig ation from a substantially zero value to its maximum value.

An ancillary object of my invention is to pro vide a translating system of the type incorporating a gas-filled electric discharge device that has comparatively high potentials impressed between the electrodes thereof, in which a gas-filled photo-sensitive trigger element shall be so connected as not to be deteriorated by the high potentials.

An incidental object of my invention is to provide a photo-sensitive control system for a prime mover such that the motion of the prime mover shall be arrested for a predetermined increase in excitation of the photo-sensitive trigger of the control system and shall also be arrested when a deficiency occurs in the photo-sensitive trigger or in its associated exciting elements.

According to my invention, I provide a trans lating system in which the potential impressed across the trigger element is independent of the potentials impressed between the electrodes of the electric discharge device. Moreover, the electric discharge device utilized in the practice of my invention is of the asymmetric type, is

energized from an alternating current source and is so connected in the system that during the half cycles of potential of which the polarity is such that the electric discharge device is nonconducting, a charge is accumulated on the control electrode that is of such polarity as to prevent the excitation of the electric discharge device during the half cycle of potential of which the polarity is such that the device is capable of conducting. The charge thus accumulated on the control electrode is removed by the trigger element, and the rate at which the charge is thus removed is dependent on the condition of excitation of the trigger element. The fraction of the half cycle of potential during which the electric discharge device is conducting is de- 1 pendent on the rapidity with which the blocking charge is removed, and is, therefore, a continuous function or the state of excitation of the trigger element.

The novel features that I consider characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as to its organization and its method or" operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of specific embodiments, when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic View showing an embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing a modification of my invention as it is applied to the control of a prime mover;

Fig. 3 is a view in side elevation showing a dual elevator system in which my invention is applied for control purposes; and

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing another modification of my invention.

The apparatus shown in Fig. 1 comprises an electric discharge device 8, which is preferably of the gas-filled type, and is provided with an excitable cathode 3, an anode 5 and a control electrode l immersed in a gaseous medium. Potentials are impressed between the electrodes 3 and 5 and 3 and "l of the electric discharge device l and energy is supplied to the device through the windings 9, ii and it of a pluralsection secondary it of a power supply transformer ll. One winding 9 of the secondary i5 is connected between the cathode 3 and the anode 5 through the exciting coil it of a relay 2|, which symbolizes a load, a second winding ii is directly connected across the terminals of the excitable cathode 3 while the third winding i3 is connected across the terminals of a potentiometer 23, the movable tap of which is connected to the control electrode through an im pedance 2i and through a capacitor 29.

A photo-sensitive device 3! of the gas-filled type is connected between the control electrode 1 and a variable tap 33 of a second potentiometer 35, the terminals of which are connected between the anode 31 and the cathode 39 of a high vacuum electric discharge device 4| through a section 43 of the secondary 45 of a second transformer 41. The transformer 41 is supplied with power independently of the transformer |1 through which power is supplied to the gas-filled electric discharge device I. In the practice of my invention, I prefer to supply the power to the transformer 41 through a voltage regulator 48, since it is desirable that gas filled photo-sensitive device 3| be operated at its maximum potential and for this reason it is important that the potential applied to the photo-sensitive device be highly constant to avoid such variations as may cause the device to become disruptively energized.

The cathode 39 of the high vacuum device 4| utilized in the preferred practice of my invention is indirectly heated and the heating power is supplied from a secondary section 49 of the transformer 41, whereby power is supplied to the device 4|. A variable resistor 5| is connected in series with the heating coil 53 of the cathode and with the secondary section 49 of the transformer, and thus the time required for the cathode 39 to become adequately heated to emit suflicient current to render the high vacuum device 4| conductive may be varied.

It is seen that the proper potential is impressed between the cathode 55 and the anode 51 of the photo-sensitive device 3| only after the high vacuum device 4| has attained a conducting condition, and consequently the gas filled electric discharge device I which is normally non-conductive is rendered conductive only at this time. As is well known, the cathode of a gas-filled electric discharge device must be raised to a predetermined condition of excitation before potential can be so applied between the cathode and the other electrodes thereof to render the cathode emissive without deterioration. If the potentials between the cathode and the other electrodes of the gasfilled device are such that the cathode emits before it is raised to the proper excited condition, the cathode is rapidly deteriorated by the positive ions present in the electric discharge device.

The indirectly heated high vacuum electric discharge device 4| is utilized for the purpose of providing the time delay which is necessary in this connection. The control electrode 1 of the gas filled device I is normally maintained at a potential such that premature emission from the cathode 3 is prevented until the photo-sensitive device 3| becomes conductive. On the other hand, the photo-sensitive device 3| does not become conductive until the high vacuum device 4| becomes conductive. If, therefore, the time required for heating the cathode 39 of the high vacuum device 4| is made equivalent to the time required for adequate excitation of the cathode 39 of the gas-filled device I, the cathode 3 of the gas-filled device I is prevented from prematurely emitting, and thus is prevented from becoming deteriorated.

The operation of the device will be understood from an examination of the circuit as it is shown in Fig. l. The gas-filled device is of the asymmetric type, and, consequently, can pass current only during the half cycles of potential, of which the polarity is such that the cathode 3 is electrically negative while the anode 5 is electrically positive. The potential of this polarity shall be designated hereinafter as positive potential; the potential of the opposite polarity being designated as negative potential. The capacitor 29 is connected in a circuit extending from the lower terminal of the winding 13, through the potentiometer 23, the impedance 21, the control electrode 1, the cathode 3 to the intermediate tap of the winding l3 and during the half cycles of negative potential it is charged by the current transmitted through the network, so that a negative charge is impressed on the control electrode. The negative charge thus impressed can only leak off or be neutralized through the photo-sensitive device 3| during the inter vals during which the potential impressed across its electrodes 55 and 51 has the proper polarity. It is seen that the rate at which the charge thus applied to the control electrode leaks off, is a function of the state of excitation of the photosensitive device 3| and of the phase relationship of the potentials between its electrodes 55 and 51 and the control electrode 1 and the cathode 3 of the gas filled device I.

On the other hand, the gas-filled device I becomes energized when suflicient negative charge is removed from its control electrode during the positive half cycle potential. The instant at which the gas-filled device begins to pass current is thus determined by the rate of leakage of the negative charge accumulated on the control electrode 1, and is, therefore, determined by the state of excitation of the photo-sensitive device. As is well known, the gas-filled electric discharge device I when once excited remains in its excited condition regardless of the potential applied to its control electrode 1 until the potential applied between its principal electrodes 3 and 5 is reduced to a small value which is below the normal cathode drop. It is seen, therefore, that the current output of the gas-filled electric discharge device, which varies directly as the length of the inter val of the positive half cycle during which the device passes current, also varies directly as the state of excitation of the photo-sensitive device 3| and is controlled by the state of excitation of this element.

As has been mentioned above the rate at which the negative charge applied to the control electrode 1 leaks away through the photo-sensitive device 3| is to a certain extent dependent on the phase relationship which exists between the potential applied between the electrodes 55 and 51 of the photo-sensitive device 3| and the potential applied between the electrodes 3 and 5 of the gasfilled electric discharge device I. However, these potentials may be adjusted at will by suitably adjusting the sources and the transformers l1 and 41 whereby power is supplied to these elements, and thus a highly sensitive system may be attained. Since the sources may be independent of each other any desired phase relationship may be attained. In the practice of my invention, I have preferred to impress a potential across the photo-sensitive device 3| which is substantially in phase with the potential impressed across the electrodes 3 and 5 of the gas-filled electric discharge device I.

In Fig. 2, a system constructed in accordance with the practice of my invention is shown as applied for the purpose of controlling the operation of a prime mover, such as a motor 59. The photo-sensitive device 3| is normally maintained moderately energized by a source 6| of suitable character. The electric discharge device I. therefore, normally passes a moderate current through the exciting coil IQ of the relay 2|. In the present embodiment of my invention, the

relay 2| is of a difierential type, and its movable contactor 93 is maintained in open position by the force exerted by a spring 65 which counteracts the electro-magnetic force applied by the current traversing the electric discharge device.

A second source of light 61 is provided for the purpose of controlling the normal operation of the system. When the source 61 attains a predetermined intensity, or when it is brought adjacent to the photo-sensitive device 3|, the state of excitation of the photo-sensitive device is increased, and, consequently, the current traversing the electric discharge device I is increased. When the current attains a predetermined value the movable contactor of the relay 2| in the principal circuit of the electric discharge device I engages the upper fixed contacts 69 and closes a circuit through the energizing windings 1! of the brake 13, which in turn interrupts the motion of the motor 59.

If the photo-sensitive device 3| should become defective for one reason or another, or if the source GI provided for the purpose of maintaining it in a normal state of excitation should become deenergized, the normal current traversing the gas-filled electric discharge device I would be immediately decreased, and in consequence thereof the movable contactor 63 of the relay 2I controlled by the electric discharge device I wouid be urged into engagement with the lower fixed contacts 15 by the action of the spring 95, and the exciting winding II of the brake 13 would again be energized to interrupt the motion of the motor 59. On the other hand, if the source 61 that is provided for the purpose of increasing the excitation of the photo-sensitive device should become deenergized for one reason or another, the exciting coil 11 of a second relay 19 connected in series with the source 61 would become deenergized, and the movable contactor BI of this relay would move into engagement with a plurality of fixed contacts 89 to close the circuit through the exciting windings H of the brake 13, and thus interrupt the motion of the motor 59.

It is seen, therefore, that the system shown in Fig. 2 provides not only a control for a motor 59, but also provides for any contingencies which might occur in the photo-sensitive control system. In this connection, the system has particular utility in the field of control of the motion of cages in a dual elevator control system. Such a system is illustrated in Fig. 3. In this view, a plurality of cages and 81 are shown in an elevator shaft 89. A source of radiant energy 9I and a photo-sensitive device 93 are disposed adjacent to the lower surface of one cage 85 and similar elements and 91 are disposed adjacent to the upper surface of the successive cage 81.

Reflectors 99 and IDI are disposed behind each pair of elements 9| and 93 and 95 and 91 and function to more efficiently project the radiations produced by the radiant device.

The cages 85 and 81 are actuated by motors (not shown) the brakes of which are connected in circuits with the photo-sensitive devices 93 and 91 that are similar to the circuit shown in Fig. 2. When the cages 85 and 81 approach to Within a predetermined distance of each other, the radiations emitted from the light on each cage 85 or 81 and projected on the photo-sensitive device 93 or 91 in the other cage become sufficiently efiective to so excite the photo-sensitive device that a relay such as the relay 2| of Fig. 2 is energized to operate the corresponding brake and to stop the corresponding elevator.

As has been explained hereinabove, if either of the sources 9I or 95, which are provided for the purpose of properly energizing the photosensitive devices 93 and 91 when the cages 95 and 81 approach to within a predetermined distance of each other, should become extinguished, the corresponding brakes would be applied to the motors corresponding to the sources. On the other hand, as has also been explained, if the photo-sensitive device 93 or 91 should become deenergized for some reason inherent in their structure, the braking effect would also occur. Finally, if one of the sources 9| (for example) should become deenergized while the other source 95 remains energized, the radiant energy emitted by the remaining energized source 95 reflected from the mirror 99 associated with the deenergized source 9! to the photo-sensitive device 91 disposed in the same cage as the remaining energized source 95, is sufiicient to so energize the photo-sensitive device 91 that when the cages approach to within a predetermined distance (which may be made a safe distance) from each other, the relay that controls the corresponding braking winding is energized. It is thus seen that in a contingency when one of the sources is deenergized, the cage associated therewith immediately stops, and when the other cage approaches to within a predetermined distance from this stopped cage, the brake associated with its motor is operated and this cage is also stopped.

It is to be noted also that in accordance with the practice of my invention as it is shown in Fig. 3, the moderate illumination, necessary for the purpose of maintaining the movable contactor E3 of a relay 2| (Fig. 2) disengaged from the lower fixed contacts 15, may be provided without utilizing an auxiliary source such as GI simply by properly adjusting the reflectors 99 and Ifil relative to the sources 91 and 93.

In Fig. 4, a system is shown in which the high vacuum electric discharge device 4|, utilized for the purpose of providing the time delay necessary to prevent premature emission of the excitable cathode 3 of the gas-filled electric discharge device I, is also applied to prevent over-excitation of the gas-filled photo-sensitive device 3i. The gas-filled photo-sensitive device 3I is connected in series with the high vacuum device 4! and its current is limited by the current which the lata ter device is capable of transmitting.

My invention has been shown and described her-einabove as applied to a number of systems, and several modifications thereof have been illustrated. Further modifications and further applications of my invention along the same lines as is shown will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Although I have shown and described certain specific embodiments of my invention, I am fully aware that many modifications thereof are possible. My invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except insofar as is necessitated by the prior art and by the spirit of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination in an electrical discharge device comprising a plurality of principal electrodes and a control electrode in an envelope containing a gaseous atmosphere, a current path comprising a source of alternating voltage, a condenser connected in series with said control electrode and one of said principal electrodes and means for imparting to said current path a uni-lateral electrical conductivity, a path containing a substantial resistance for permitting a discharge current to flow from said condenser, and a second current path independent of said means for imparting uni-lateral conductivity and containing said condenser and a second source of voltage in serial relation with each other, and means for varying at least one of said sources.

2. Energy translating apparatus comprising an electric discharge device having a control electrode and a plurality of principal electrodes, said device having an energized condition and a deenergized condition and being capable only of abrupt transition from one condition to the other, means for impressing potentials between the electrodes of said device to maintain said device in one of said conditions, means including a gasfilled photo-sensitive device for varying the potentials impressed between the electrodes of said device to vary the conditions thereof and means, including a, high vacuum electric discharge device having an excitable cathode and means for controlling the time rate of excitation of said cathode, for impressing a potential on said photosensitive device to control the magnitude of the variations of the potentials which are impressed between the electrodes of the electric discharge device.

3. In, combination with an electric discharge device having a control electrode and a plurality of principal electrodes and power supply means for energizing said device, a gas-filled photosensitive device coupled to the control electrode of said electric discharge device to vary the con-- dition of excitation thereof and additional power supply means independent of said first-named power supply means for impressing a potential on said photo-sensitive device which is substantially of the maximum magnitude that it is possible to apply to said photo-sensitive device without pro" ducing a disruptive discharge therein,

4. Energy translating apparatus comprising an electric discharge device having a control electrode and a plurality of principal electrodes, said device having an energized condition and a deenergized condition and being capable only of abrupt transition from one condition to the other, means for impressing potentials between the electrodes of said device to maintain said device in one of said conditions, means, including a gasfilled photo-sensitive device, for varying the potentials impressed between the electrodes of said device to vary the conditions thereof, a high vacuum electric discharge device having an excitable cathode, means for controlling the time rate of excitation of the last said cathode, and means for impressing potentials between the electrodes of said high vacuum device for impressing a potential across said photo-sensitive device; said means being independent of said means for impressing potentials between the electrodes of said gas-filled electric discharge device.

5. A control system comprising a prime mover, means for arresting the motion of said prime mover, means for controlling said arresting means, said means including photo-sensitive means, means for normally maintaining said photo-sensitive means in a moderately energized condition to maintain said arresting means out of cooperative relationship with said prime mover and means for increasing the excitation of said photo-sensitive means to render said arresting means operative to arrest the movement of said prime mover, means cooperating with said means for increasing the excitation of said photo-sensitive means for rendering said arresting means operative when said excitation-increasing means becomes inoperative and means cooperating with said photo-sensitive means to render said arresting means operative when said photo-sensitive means or said moderately-energizing means hecomes inoperative.

6. Translating apparatus comprising a controller, photo-sensitive means for controlling the operation of said controller, means for increasing the excitation of said photo-sensitive means to render said controller operative, means cooperating with said excitation-increasing means to render said controller operative when said excitation-increasing means becomes inoperative and means cooperating with said photo-sensitive means to render said controller operative when said photo-sensitive means becomes inoperative.

7. In combination in an electrical discharge device comprising a plurality of principal electrodes and a control electrode in an envelope containing a gaseous atmosphere, one of said electrodes being of a type such that the discharge between said control electrode and one of said principal electrodes is asymmetric, a condenser and a source of alternating voltage serially connected to the two last-mentioned electrodes, a current path containing a substantial resistance and a second source of voltage connected to provide a discharge path for said condenser which does not include said two last-mentioned electrodes, and means for varying each one of said sources.

PETER E. STOGOFF. 

